Chapter 15

It is the dark, still quiet of the middle of the night. My bed is deliciously comfortable. Every part of me is warm and cosy. So what has woken me?

A gentle movement behind me thrusts me into full consciousness. Rhydian is pressed up against my back, spooning me. And by the feel of it, it is a very naked Rhydian. And I appear to be naked too, so that's a whole lot of naked. Naked touching naked.

"Are you well?" he rumbles by my ear.

I wonder what gave it away that I was awake? I squeak out a "Yes." Then I realise he is probably talking about the banquet and is enquiring if my sanity is holding up to the shame of being so very publicly debauched.

My mind starts to replay the event in vivid detail. Lingering over how very good it felt. No waves of shame, regret, or humiliation hit me. Huh? That's surprising. I guess my sanity is intact after all. The worst I am feeling, is slightly embarrassed.

Has Rhydian done something to my mind, or am I simply a kinky person at heart and never knew it before? I let out a little sigh. It's likely that I'll never know. I should simply accept it.

"Is Dyfri okay?" I ask.

"He got away, if that is what you mean," answers Rhydian. He pauses and the silence stretches. "You need to be wary of him."

My body jerks. "Why?"

"He won't like that you think he is weak. And he will resent being beholden to you."

"That is ridiculous!" I splutter. I mean, what the actual fuck? That is such a twisted and messed up way of thinking. Dyfri is not like that. I know he isn't.

"It is our way," rumbles Rhydian. "Your human kindness is foreign to us."

A very undignified snort escapes me. "Bullshit!"

Rhydian tenses. "I beg your pardon?"

"You are the most fucked up dysfunctional family ever, but you know what kindness is and you are capable of it."

I have no idea why I am so certain about this. The evidence is minimal. Rhydian apologised in his own way after spanking me. Dyfri has treated me more like a friend than an obligation. It's not much to go on, but I know I'm right. I've seen it in a hundred different discreet glances and a thousand tiny gestures. I know what I know.

Rhydian's hand brushes softly over my naked hip and my body responds instantly. It wriggles back against him, pressing closer into his enormous erection.

"Stop trying to distract me!" I snap.

Rhydian chuckles, low and deep. "My little pet is insatiable."

"Am not!" I protest indignantly.

He moves slightly and his hard cock rubs over my ass cheeks. A wave of heat washes over me. It prickles my skin and makes my stomach swoop. His hand moves from my hip, gliding lower.

"Can we just snuggle?" I plead, as my body squirms.

He freezes, turning as motionless as a statue. "What is snuggle?"

"What we are doing now," I explain.

I like this. I like him holding me in the dark. It feels peaceful, calm, intimate. Talking seems easier too. Maybe it is the privacy. Or perhaps the time of night. People's walls tend to be thinner in the small hours just before dawn. Whatever is causing this, it is nice.

"Fine," he agrees gruffly.

A grin spreads across my face. I'm glad he can't see it. I really am starting to suspect that he is secretly a softy.

I close my eyes and let myself slowly drift back to sleep, and here in Rhydian's arms it feels wonderful.

Another delightful bath and pampering session, followed by preening at myself in the mirror. I feel incredible. Refreshed. Invigorated. Ready to face the day. If I wasn't so hungry, I'd admire my new reflection for a bit longer. But breakfast sounds good. I'm even looking forward to being ignored by Rhydian while he reads his paper.

I swan out of the bathroom and then stop in my tracks. Rhydian is not alone. Mabon and Tristan are seated at the breakfast table. There is one empty chair remaining. I drift towards it uncertainly.

Mabon looks up at me and grins. "Good morning, pet. You are pretty when you cum."

My cheeks are on fire. The skin is going to melt right off, I can feel it. Apparently, while I'm miraculously untraumatised by the events at the banquet, I'm still embarrassed and awkward about it in a truly British way.

Mabon giggles. Tristan laughs. Rhydian glares.

"You sit!" he orders, pointing at the one remaining empty chair. He turns to Mabon. "And you tell me why you are bothering me at breakfast."

I hurry to obey. I slide into the chair and dump pre-peeled orange segments onto my plate. Pretending to be engrossed in food seems like a good idea. If they forget I'm here, I might pick up more information.

"No need to be like that, brother dearest," says Mabon, but it is clear he isn't really offended in the slightest.

Rhydian makes a displeased noise.

"Fine!" sighs Mabon dramatically. "A little bird told me that Vizier Iestyn is coming for a visit."

A clang echoes out into the silence as someone puts down a fork a little too forcefully.

"Why is father sending him to check up on us? Honestly, one of the best things about coming to Earth was leaving that creep Iestyn behind," says Tristan.

"I'm sure father has his reasons," says Rhydian calmly. "The vizier will likely stay for a few days, see all is well, and then return home."

That all sounds very reasonable, and Rhydian is acting completely unfazed. But something doesn't feel right. I think he is far more ruffled than he is letting on.

I only know the word vizier from the Disney film, Aladdin. In that, the vizier was some sort of royal advisor and all round baddie and creep. It sounds as if this Iestyn is similar. He is definitely bad news, it doesn't take a genius to work that one out.

I have no idea how I can turn this to my advantage, but knowledge is power, as they say. I might be able to come up with something. Someday. Somehow.

Whereas, being concerned for Rhydian and his brothers is ridiculous. This is their world, they know how to take care of themselves. It is not my problem and I shouldn't care. Rhydian frigging abducted me. I should want all the bad things to happen to him.

I pour myself a cup of tea and try to act as if I'm not hanging onto every word. Not that anyone is speaking anymore. News of this Iestyn person's arrival seems to have thrown everyone into a brooding silence. This can't be good.

"Can I play with your pet?" says Mabon suddenly and brightly.

I nearly spit out my tea.

"No," says Rhydian wearily.

Mabon pouts. "Oh, but he makes such sweet little whimpers. I really enjoyed the banquet. Please, dearest brother?"

Oh gosh. My cheeks are heating again and my mouth has gone dry. I'm pretty certain Rhydian will not let Mabon near me, but it is terrifying being utterly reliant on his protection.

Rhydian takes a long sip of his tea. "No."

"I want to taste human cock. I bet it is delicious." Mabon's purple eyes gleam as he leers at me. "Is his hole as tiny as the rest of him?"

A cup slams onto the table, making me flinch.

"I said no!" says Rhydian as he glares at his brother.

Mabon squeals in glee and claps his hands together. I'm pretty sure he kicks his feet under the table too.

"Your secret is safe with me!" he declares.

Tristan frowns. His red hued eyes flick between his brothers. "What secret?"

"Our brother is fond of his human pet!" announces Mabon proudly.

"Oh," says Tristan. His gaze turns to me, full of surprise and keen interest.

Wait? What? What on earth is Mabon babbling about? He has to be teasing Rhydian, right? There cannot be any truth to his words. That's ludicrous. Rhydian doesn't like me.

I look at Rhydian. He is glaring at Mabon with a ferocity I'm sure should be lethal, and his pale cheeks are tinged with pink.

Oh. Fuck.

My stomach swoops and twists. I can hear the thump of my heart, and my tea is shaking as I try to bring it to my lips. Rhydian is fond of me? What does that even mean? Does it mean fond, or you know, fond? And why do I even care? I mean, undoubtedly it could be damn useful, but that does not explain my visceral reaction to the news, or how I can't look at him anymore because it feels as if I will fall apart if I do.

I know I want him to fuck me. He is utterly gorgeous and clearly highly skilled, so that's not an insane wish. But I don't like him. I can't like him. Not like that. He hasn't even kissed me. Though what kissing has to do with anything, I have no idea.

Oh crap, now my thoughts are spiralling into an incoherent panic. Time to take another sip of tea and calm down.

Rhydian launches into a discussion on how to prepare for Vizier Iestyn's visit, and I couldn't be more grateful that the conversation is moving on. Thank fuck for that.

I should pay attention. If I know the plans, I might be able to sabotage them, and, I don't know, use the distraction for my escape.

But I can't. My mind is refusing to work. It is fixated on the idea that Rhydian might have feelings for me.

What the fuck am I going to do?